KHS
Lucky 7
Freeride Full Suspension

Product Description

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Tony
a Downhiller

Date Reviewed: August 14, 2012

Strengths: - bike feels nice and stiff with the 1.5" head tube and even with the 12x135mm rear axle
- shifting has been crisp since day one
- pedals quite well for a freeride bike
- elixir 5 brakes have been sufficient for some DH racing
- didn't expect much from the wtb wheel set but they have remained true even with me at 200+ pounds
- the rock shox domain rc is a very under rated fork with no issues just a tad heavy

Weaknesses: - stock wtb tires are terrible in loose and wet terrain
- truvativ crankset only lasted a year until the non replaceable pedal insert came loose
- overall bike is a bit heavy

Bottom Line:

I own the 2011 and definetly recommend this bike as a do it it all freeride bike. It feels right at home in the bike park and can handle the odd DH race and even some xc riding as there is just enough seat post height adjustment. For the price you would have a hard time finding a better specced bike for freeride and light dh. I would compare it to a giant faith but cheaper or a kona entourage with more seat height adjustability.

Strengths: With a good starting parts spec the 2011 KHS Lucky 7 is a great ride! The design of the frame allows it to really chew up large jumps and drops. The ride position is fantastic for throwing tricks in the air.

If your looking for a free ride bike that can ride gnarly downhill trails but work for Extream free ride duty, the Lucky 7 is a great choice.

Weaknesses: KHS dealer support sucks. I'm living in interior BC, Canada, and the nearest dealer is hours away. When I called them they were not even aware of what my lucky 7 looked like.

I had to have a derailler hanger shipped from half way across the country by contacting there dealer network directly. Having said that, there support network in Ontario was very helpful.

The rear derailer hanger is not the best design.

Bottom Line:

I bought my 2011 KHS lucky 7 new at the beginning of the 2012 year for a drastically reduced price. Having only ever ridin full DH bikes before I was a little skeptical of buying a free ride bike to take out west where I would be working 40 hours a week at Panorama Mountain Resort as a Patroller.

The stock part spec of a RockShox Domain front fork, Fox Van R rear shock, X7 SRAM drive train and elixer 5 brakes is pretty decent. It's enough to get you out on the trails and rocking downhill.

I weigh 180 lbs in bike gear and found that on the bigger hits that I was bottoming the Domain fork right out. So I have since upgraded to a Rockshox Totem RC2 front fork, Cane Creek double Barrel shock, Cane Creek head set, Saint Brakes and X9 drive train. (I have a problem with spending all my money on upgrades)

So my now not stock Lucky 7 is incredible! It will take any big drop I put it through, big and small jumps and technical sections. Just not the best in rock gardens.

Strengths: great trail and downhill performance.will handle a beating. good for street riding (to and from school). suspension is truly superior to any other bike for its price. the brakes would stop a truck.

truly amazing bike for its price and beats bikes that are twice as expensive. being 13 i dont know alot about the history of bikes but from wat ive heard it is a large step for the middle priced downhiller

Strengths: Climbs very well for a bike with 7" travel. Kills the downhill, little rough over rock gardens. Overall, its freaking great.

Weaknesses: SRAM shifters....stock handle bars were too small, had to get wider ones.

Bottom Line:

Bottom line, this is the perfect bike for me since i can do light xc with it, but at the same time do dh with it. I looked at all the konas, specialized, giant, etc downhill bikes but none touches this one.

Strengths: Price, Suspension, and the ability to climb up any hill....and race down it. And it looks awesome too!

Weaknesses: All of the shifting components..not terrible but its by far not a stength.

Bottom Line:

The bottom line is this bike rocks! This is the exact bike I was looking for. You can pedal it up any hill (maybe not as fast a xc bike but thats not the point)and then race down it. I have raced beg downhill on it and it is awesome! This bike truly does it all and has a nice 7.3 inches of travel. The geomrty of the bike is great(for me) and it just has a great feel.
I have had some problems with the shifting components and the chain slipping off. But nothing a chain guide wouldt take care of.
I really recommend this bike. I have also gotten alot of comments on it too (good ones).

Strengths: This bike likes to fly, and it flies with ease, yet takes rough, steep DH sections with ease due to its very slack front end.

Weaknesses: Frame build, i dont have much trust on the welds around the headtube to run a double crown fork. And the paint job is not top notch..all bad i can say on this frame

Bottom Line:

Honestly this bike is great, it can handle anything, and i ride it at a resort with some of the roughest trails in Canada. if purchased from a store, with a stock build you are getting a great bang for your buck. I decided to make the build a bit better, so i bought the frame and built it up with a great spec list for just over $3000 CAD. My frame is a Medium, and i am 5'8 and it fits me great. Really no complaints on this bike..it can be built many different ways, all making it for an enjoyable ride.
tom

Submitted by
Blacksugar
a Weekend Warrior
from Spartanburg South Carolina

Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008

Strengths: I rode my buddys bike black prohet and that was the end of it the next month i sold my old bike and took the money for a down payment great bike love the forks the rear shock the bike it just a great bike

Weaknesses: there is only one weakness one the entire bike and it says sram on it waste of time expect to up grade as soon as u get on it

Bottom Line:

if u don't like this bike then your a moron its perfect for what it does and u will be hard pressed to find a better bike for the money o and can i say its damn pretty

Strengths: this bike is the best bang 4 your buck.....ive rode the crap out of mine....i tryed a 10 foot drop 2 flat and the bike performed excellent...unlike me haha...the marz.66 is super strong ans super plush and the same can be said for the fox in the rear....7.3 inches of travel hydro disc and awesome look....whats not 2 like

Weaknesses: ahh none....

Bottom Line:

this bike rocks....this bike will out perform other freeride and downhill bikes that costs twice the price of the lucky 7....

Strengths: Everything! this bike has got amazing parts for the price. The bike geometry is great and when parts like the Fox Van R rear shock and the Marzocchi 66 RCV front shock are added this bike is unstopable.

Weaknesses: Its a bit heavy, (but im a bit light 5ft,7inch and 145lbs)

Bottom Line:

Great bike for the price. Second after i bought the bike i took it to some jumps where i totalled my XC bike the day before... This thing handled those jumps like they were nothing! If i could i would have little bike children with this bike. It really is a great bike and i hope more people can enjoy it

Strengths: The Khs lucky 7 starts throwing punches right out of the gate ! It's price point is amazing and the stock components match those of higher end freeride bikes. It features the Fox van R adjustable rear shok, reaching 185mm of travel it will take what ever you drop off of. It's partner in crime is the Marzocchi Bomber rcv 66 single crown long travel fork, with 180mm of travel. Other stock components include Hussefelt stem and crank set. Truative post and WTB sattle. This 7" travel monster is propelled on a Sram drivetrain X-7 rear derailluer and shifter levers, and a shimano Deore front derailluer all linked together with a Z9000 chain. Stopping power is deliverd immedialtly by Hayes Stroker trail levers and calipers, biting right into 203mm discs. This chassis rides on Tomac Nevangal kevlar beaded tires wrapped around WTB double duty rims. Other features include 20mm through axle and a Cane Creek 1 1/8 threadless head set.

Weaknesses: I fell that Khs really cheaped out on the riser bar which looks cheap and during assembly seemed to scrach easily. They could have upgraded the the X-7 to an X-9 and still maintained a wicked price point. In addition the could have chosen some better grips such as the lizardskin Logo lock ons. Colours other then red would also be nice and a few more dice!

Bottom Line:

I'm sure that this bike will be among those consider for bike of the year. This is no poser freeride bike which will handle the riggers of an true weekend warrior and the chassis will be raced by the Khs team at some of the more milder races like the sea otter. This bike climbs to the top with a list of amazing components and drops of with a great price. If your looking for a freeride bike which will get you to the top and let you bomb down on then this is the bike, I know I'll be riding one this season!

Bike Setup: Being a bike mechanic, it assemble easily, other then the cheap bar, which seemed to shed paint straight out of the box. The cockpit is set up to be rider friendly, with little thought you can hop on and just giv'er. I am really impressed at the components which come stock. I was expecting that this bike would ring in at $2800-3200 bones, but at it's price point how can you find a better deal.

Related Lucky 7 Forum Posts

After alot of researching, I found a nice frame on ebay, the KHS Lucky 7 2008, size small, perfect fit for me. So i ordered it. But apparently Wheelworld has the complete Bike for $1600 only. Is it possible for me to build one up with respectable components and stay lower than that price?
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We have some very rocky rooty trails in my fave park. How would the 7 do in this as these trails also have steeps. How would this bike perform? I presently ride a Prophet so I'm used to weight and toughness.Read More »

I am coming from a santa cruz vp free with a marzocchi world cup air rear shock and just bought a khs lucky 7 and just got back from my first ride. Honestly I'm not that thrilled with nthe rear suspension. It feels like the first part of the stroke is too soft and on bigger hits/rocks/roots the s ... Read More »